Partial gastric volumes and upper abdominal sensations in functional dyspeptic and GERD patients: a 3D ultrasonographic study

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the change in proximal and distal gastric volumes after ingestion of a nutrient drink and its relationship to upper abdominal sensations using three-dimensional ultrasonography. METHODS: Fifty FD patients, 20 GERD patients patients and 35 healthy controls participated. Partial gastric volumes and sensations were assessed while fasting and after ingestion of a nutrient drink (500 mL, 300 kcal). Division of partial gastric volumes by total gastric volume was used to calculate proximal and distal gastric volume ratios. RESULTS: The proximal gastric volume ratio was smaller in FD patients and larger in GERD patients compared to controls (p < 0.001 and p= 0.008, respectively). FD patients with impaired proximal relaxation (46%) had a larger increase in distal gastric volume (p= 0.008) and higher fullness sensations (p= 0.027) compared to FD patients with normal proximal relaxation. Fullness was related to distal gastric volume in both GERD patients and healthy controls (r= 0.761, p < 0.001 and r= 0.674, p= 0.001, respectively). In FD patients this relationship was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Impaired proximal gastric volume change after ingestion of a nutrient drink is associated with a larger distal gastric volume and increased fullness. In health and in GERD patients, the distal stomach is important in the regulation of fullness. However, in FD patients with normal or altered gastric volume distribution, this relationship is disturbed, implying that other causes are involved in the excessive generation of fullness.     

功能性消化不良症状和近端胃功能的关系

目的:探讨功能性消化不良(functional dyspepsia,FD)症状与近端胃敏感性、容受性及顺应性的关系.方法:记录32例健康志愿者和59例FD患者的基本人口学特征和消化不良症状,患者空腹行电子恒压器检查,将前端带有气囊的双腔聚乙烯导管经口插入受试者胃内,给予等压扩张,检测指标包括近端胃敏感性、容受性及顺应性;同样,所有受试者第二天空腹行胃排空功能检查,利用核素闪烁法测定胃的固体排空功能,得出全胃排空标准曲线并计算全胃半排时间.利用2和Logistic回归分析消化不良症状与近端胃功能关系.结果:44.07%的FD患者存在内脏敏感性增加,内脏敏感性正常组和增加组之间胃半排时间无差异.内脏敏感性增加的患者上腹痛症状发生率高于内脏敏感性正常的患者(P<0.01);上腹痛症状是内脏敏感性增加的相关因素(OR=4.430,P<0.05).37.29%的FD患者存在近端胃容受性减低,容受性正常组和减低组胃半排时间无差异.近端胃容受性减低的患者早饱症状的发生率高于近端胃容受性正常的患者(P<0.05);早饱症状是近端胃容受性减低的独立相关因素(OR=3.231,P<0.05).54.24%的FD患者存在顺应性减低,顺应性正常组和减低组之间胃半排时间及消化不良症状发生率均无显著差异(P>0.05).结论:FD患者的症状与近端胃功能障碍有关,上腹痛症状提示内脏敏感性增加,早饱症状提示近端胃容受性减低.     

Evaluation of Individual Symptoms Cannot Predict Presence of Gastric Hypersensitivity in Functional Dyspepsia

Recently, the concept of gastric hypersensitivity was introduced as an important factor in the pathophysiology of functional dyspepsia (FD), but it is unclear which symptoms can predict the presence of gastric hypersensitivity. Therefore, we evaluated the relationship between common symptoms of FD and various parameters measured by gastric barostat in FD patients. Gastric barostat tests were performed in 64 FD patients and 20 healthy control subjects without gastrointestinal symptoms. Individual symptoms such as early satiety, postprandial fullness, sense of delayed emptying, nausea, vomiting, and epigastric soreness were collected and graded as mild to severe. Basal tone, gastric compliance, and postprandial receptive relaxation were similar in controls and patients, the threshold of abdominal discomfort was lower in FD patients than in controls (8.9 ± 3.6 mm Hg and 14.5 ± 3.7 mm Hg, respectively, P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the threshold of abdominal discomfort according to the severity of individual symptoms. In conclusion, a simple evaluation of individual symptoms could not predict the presence of gastric hypersensitivity.     

胃排空障碍与功能性消化不良相关性的研究

目的：探讨胃排空障碍与功能性消化不良（FD）之间的关系。方法：以双核素标记试餐SPECT技术检测了22例FD患者的液、固体食物胃排空和食物胃内分布，并以实时超声检测了72例FD患者在西沙必利治疗前后的液体胃排空变化，分析这些变化与症状积分变化的相关性．结果：68．2％的FD患者存在胃排空障碍，以固体胃排空延迟为主，单纯液体排空障碍较少；摄食后比对照组有更多的食物滞留于远端胃内，然而，延迟的胃排空和改变了的固体食物胃内分布与FD的主要症状无显著相关性。西沙必利明显缩短FD患者的液体胃排空时间，改善其中部分患者的临床症状，而另一部分患者的症状无明显缓解．结论：西沙必利改善FD症状并非完全依赖于其促排空效应，胃排空障碍与FD之间缺乏必然的联系，它们可能是同一病生基础的两种不同表现．     

Motor and sensory function of the proximal stomach in reflux disease and after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication

OBJECTIVE: After Nissen fundoplication, dyspeptic symptoms such as fullness and early satiety develop in >30% of patients. These symptoms may result from alterations in proximal gastric motor and sensory function. METHODS: We have evaluated proximal gastric motor and sensory function using an electronic barostat in 12 patients after successful laparoscopic Nissen fundoplications (median follow-up; 12 months). Twelve age- and gender-matched patients with severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and 12 healthy volunteers served as controls. Studies were performed in the fasting state and after meal ingestion. Gastric emptying tests were performed in all patients. Vagus nerve integrity was measured by the response of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) to insulin hypoglycemia. RESULTS: Minimal distending pressure and proximal gastric compliance were not significantly different between post-Nissen patients, GERD patients, and healthy controls. Postprandial relaxation of the stomach, however, was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced post-Nissen (267 +/- 34 ml), compared with controls (400 +/- 30 ml) and GERD (448 +/- 30 ml). Postprandial relaxation was significantly (p < 0.01) prolonged in GERD patients. Postprandial relaxation of the stomach correlated with gastric emptying of solids (r = 0.62; p = 0.01). Gastric emptying of solids became significantly (p < 0.05) faster after fundoplication. Postprandial fullness was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the operated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Post-Nissen patients have a significantly reduced postprandial gastric relaxation and significantly accelerated gastric emptying, which may explain postoperative dyspeptic symptoms. The abnormalities result from fundoplication and not from vagus nerve injury or reflux per se, because in reflux patients gastric relaxation and gastric emptying are prolonged.     

符合罗马Ⅲ标准的功能性消化不良患者固体胃排空功能研究

背景：罗马Ⅲ标准对功能性消化不良（FD）的定义作了更新和修订，相应FD患者人群亦发生改变。目的：研究符合罗马Ⅲ标准的FD患者的固体胃排空功能，以及新的FD症状谱和分型与固体胃排空功能之间的关系。方法：对36例符合罗马Ⅲ标准的FD患者和32名健康志愿者行^99Tc固体胃排空试验。比较不同症状分型FD患者的固体胃排空功能，分析固体胃排空功能与罗马Ⅲ标准中FD症状的相关性。结果：10例（27．8％）FD患者固体胃半排空时间超过正常上限，9例（25．0％）2h残留率高于正常上限。餐后不适综合征（PDS）、上腹痛综合征（EPS）和PDS＋EPS型FD患者固体胃半排空时间分别为（150．3±40．2）min、（118．3±25．1）min和（150．5±51．2）min，三组间差异无统计学意义（P=0．126）。餐后饱胀不适症状与固体胃半排空时间和2h残留率均呈线性正相关．相关系数分别为11．5（P=0．043）和0．045（P=0．040）。结论：本组27．8％的FD患者存在固体胃排空延迟。PDS和PDS＋EPS型FD的固体胃半排空时间有长于EPS的趋势。FD患者的餐后饱胀不适症状与固体胃排空延迟有关，固体胃排空延迟是符合罗马Ⅲ标准的FD患者的病理生理机制之一。     

Upper abdominal symptoms in patients with Type 1 diabetes: unrelated to impairment in gastric emptying caused by autonomic neuropathy

Aims Diabetic gastroparesis is a common condition occurring in some 30–50% of patients with long-term diabetes. Some studies have found a relationship between autonomic neuropathy and diabetic gastroparesis. In addition to autonomic neuropathy, acute changes in plasma glucose concentration can also affect gastric emptying. The objective was to examine the relationship between autonomic nerve function, glucose concentration, gastric emptying, and upper abdominal symptoms in Type 1 diabetic patients. Methods Gastric emptying of solids and liquids was measured with scintigraphy in 27 patients with longstanding Type 1 diabetes with upper abdominal symptoms. Autonomic nerve function was examined by standardized cardiovascular tests, and plasma glucose concentrations were measured during scintigraphy. Severity of abdominal symptoms and quality of life were explored by validated questionnaires. Results Seven patients (26%) had delayed gastric emptying of solids and three (11%) of liquids. Mean gastric half-emptying time of solids was 128 ± 116 min and of liquids 42 ± 30 min. Of the 26 patients undergoing tests, 16 (62%) had autonomic nerve dysfunction. Autonomic neuropathy score (1.6 ± 1.7) correlated positively with the gastric emptying rate of solids (P = 0.006), a rate unrelated to symptom scores or plasma glucose concentrations during scintigraphy. Quality of life in patients with abdominal symptoms was lower than in the normal Finnish population. Conclusions Impaired gastric emptying of solids in patients with Type 1 diabetes is related to autonomic neuropathy, but not to actual glycaemic control. The upper abdominal symptoms observed in these patients cannot be explained, however, by impaired gastric emptying.     

荆花胃康胶丸对功能性消化不良疗效的观察

背景:功能性消化不良(FD)的发病机制还不十分清楚,目前尚缺乏令人满意的治疗方法。目的:评价荆花胃康胶丸对FD的治疗效果。方法:采用开放、随机、对照试验,60例FD患者随机分为两组,每组30例,分别予口服荆花胃康胶丸160mg,3次/d和多潘立酮10mg,3次/d。根据治疗前后胃排空试验结果和消化不良症状(上腹不适、餐后饱胀、早饱、上腹痛、烧心、反酸、嗳气、食欲不振)积分的比较,评估荆花胃康胶丸的疗效和安全性。结果:治疗后两组患者餐后2h胃排空率均有所提高,治疗前后胃排空率差异有统计学意义(荆花胃康胶丸组,P<0.05;多潘立酮组,P<0.01)。两组比较,多潘立酮组治疗后胃排空率较荆花胃康胶丸组显著提高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后两组患者的症状总积分均较治疗前显著下降(P<0.01)。通过两组差值的比较,荆花胃康胶丸组餐后饱胀、上腹痛、嗳气的改善程度尤其优于多潘立酮组(P<0.01)。结论:荆花胃康胶丸治疗FD具有一定的疗效,在改善消化不良症状方面优于多潘立酮,并具有良好的安全性。     

CRC screening: review of the evidence and suggestions on when and how to move on from randomized trials to screening programmes

Many patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have symptoms suggestive of disturbances in gastric emptying, but so far no abnormalities in gastric emptying have been demonstrated in these patients. We studied gastric emptying of a solid meal with a ^99mTc-labeled pancake in 16 healthy volunteers (8 women and 8 men; age, 20–33 years; mean age, 25 years) and 16 predominantly constipated IBS patients (10 women and 6 men; age, 17–43 years; mean age, 25 years). The incidence and severity of the symptoms nausea, vomiting, early satiety, and pain in the upper abdomen were scored. The duration of the lag phase of gastric emptying of the solid meal did not differ between the groups (controls, 16.6 ± 4.7 min; IBS patients, 22.2 ± 14.7 min). In normal subjects lag phase duration and emptying rate were correlated (r = 0.49, p > 0.05); in the IBS patients they were not. Post-lag gastric emptying of the solid meal was slower (p < 0.01) in the IBS patients (0.58 ± 0.24%/min) than in the control subjects (0.85 ± 0.24%/min). No correlations were found, however, between the emptying rate and the severity of the upper abdominal symptoms. This study is the first to demonstrate that gastric emptying is delayed in IBS patients. This abnormality, however, appears not to be the major determinant of the upper abdominal symptoms often present in these patients.     

Concurrent assessment of reservoir and emptying of the stomach for dyspepsia patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We simultaneously examined the reservoir function of the stomach as well as emptying by one single assessment for gastric emptying, and investigated their association in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). Next, we examined the interaction between the association and abdominal symptoms. METHODOLOGY: Sixty-one FD patients according to the Rome III criteria were recruited for this study. We measured the radioactive changes of the proximal and the whole stomach by the scintigraphy until 120 min, and assessed the reservoir function and the respective half-emptying time. We assessed the symptoms by the previously validated questionnaires. RESULTS: Disordered emptying was seen in 55.7% (34/61) of patients, delay in 67.6% (23/34), and acceleration in 32.4% (11/34). Impaired reservoir function was found in 49.2% (30/61) of patients, which had an association with delayed (p = 0.025) and disordered (delay+acceleration) emptying (p = 0.027). Through the period, the radioactive decrease was dynamic in the normal, but virtually unchanged in the impaired reservoir function group. Symptoms in the motility disordered group tended to be more severe than in the normal group. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric reservoir function was associated with emptying in FD patients. Abdominal symptoms of FD patients were partly derived from the impairment of coordinated gastric motility.     

Effects of Iberogast on proximal gastric volume, antropyloroduodenal motility and gastric emptying in healthy men

OBJECTIVE: The herbal preparation Iberogast has been reported to improve upper abdominal symptoms in functional dyspepsia (FD) and to decrease fundic tone, increase antral contractility, and decrease afferent nerve sensitivity in experimental animals. The effects of Iberogast on the human gastrointestinal tract have not been evaluated. METHODS: We investigated the effects of oral control and Iberogast, each administered as a single dose (1.1 mL), in a double-blind randomized fashion, on proximal gastric volume (part A), antropyloroduodenal motility (part B), and gastric emptying and intragastric distribution of a solid/liquid meal (part C) for 120 minutes, in nine (part A), 12 (part B), and eight (part C) healthy men. RESULTS: Iberogast increased proximal gastric volume (max volume; control 104+/-12 mL, Iberogast 174+/-23 mL, P<0.05) (part A), increased the motility index of antral pressure waves in the first 60 minutes (P<0.05) without affecting pyloric or duodenal pressures (part B), and slightly increased the retention of liquid in the total stomach between 10 and 50 minutes (P<0.01), but had no effect on gastric emptying of solids or intragastric distribution (part C). CONCLUSIONS: Iberogast affects gastric motility in humans, probably in a region-dependent manner. The stimulation of gastric relaxation and antral motility may contribute to the reported therapeutic efficacy of Iberogast in FD.     

功能性消化不良与功能性便秘胃排空情况及其相互关系的研究

目的了解功能性消化性不良（P-D）、功能性便秘（FC）的胃排空情况,并探讨其相互关系。方法选择符合罗马Ⅲ标准的FD患者63例,单纯FC患者34例,FD＋FC患者46例,无消化道症状的健康体检者40例作为对照组,上述所有患者及健康体检者利用^（13）C-辛酸呼气试验（OBT）进行胃排空时间测定。结果①FD组中胃排空延迟发生率占57．1％（36／63）,单纯Fc组中胃排空延迟发生率占58．8％（20／34）,FC＋FD组中胃排空延迟发生率占65．2％（30／46）,FD组、单纯FC组与FC＋FD组间比较无统计学差异（P〉0．01）,三组与对照组均有显著差异（P〈0．01）;②单纯FC组与对照组中无重度胃排空延迟病例出现,而FD（占38．1％）、FC＋FD（占34．8％）组中重度胃排空延迟病例所占比例较大,均与单纯FC、对照组有显著差异（P〈0．05）。结论胃动力异常与FD、FC的发病密切相关;FC患者重叠FD症状的几率较高;FD与FC尽管均存在胃动力异常,但严重程度不一,指导临床,需区别对待。     

The proximal stomach and postprandial symptoms in functional dyspeptics

OBJECTIVES: It remains unclear whether postprandial symptom profiles in patients with visceral hypersensitivity and in those with impaired fundic accommodation differ. Therefore, we evaluated the postprandial symptoms in functional dyspepsia (FD) patients classified according to proximal stomach function. In addition, the effect of gastric relaxation induced by sumatriptan on postprandial symptoms was studied in FD patients with impaired fundic accommodation. METHODS: Twenty-five healthy volunteers (HVs) and 44 FD patients filled out a disease-specific questionnaire (Nepean Dyspepsia Index) and underwent a gastric barostat study to evaluate visceral sensitivity, meal-induced fundic relaxation, and postprandial symptoms. Postprandial symptoms evoked by a drink test or reported during the barostat study were compared between FD patients subdivided according to the underlying pathophysiological mechanism. Finally, the effect of sumatriptan on postprandial symptoms evoked by a drink test was investigated in HVs and in FD patients with impaired fundic accommodation. RESULTS: There was no clear relationship between any of the 15 Nepean Dyspepsia Index symptoms and proximal stomach function. Postprandial symptoms evoked during the barostat study or after the drink tests were significantly higher in FD patients than in HVs; however, no clear differences in symptom profile could be demonstrated between the different subclasses of FD. Sumatriptan did not affect the maximal ingested volume or the postprandial symptoms in HVs or FD patients after a drink test. CONCLUSIONS: No clear relationship could be demonstrated between postprandial symptoms and proximal stomach function.     

Changes in patients&rsquo; symptoms and gastric emptying after Helicobacter pylori treatment

AIM: To investigate the changes in clinical symptoms and gastric emptying and their association in functional dyspepsia (FD) patients. METHODS: Seventy FD patients were enrolled and divided into 2 groups Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-negative group (28 patients), and H. pylori-positive group (42 patients). Patients in the H. pylori-positive group were further randomly divided into groups: H. pylori-treatment group (21 patients) and conventional treatment group (21 patients). Seventy two healthy subjects were selected as the control group. The proximal and distal stomach area was measured by ultrasound immediately after patients took the test meal, and at 20, 40, 60 and 90 min; then, gastric half-emptying time was calculated. The incidence of symptoms and gastric half-emptying time between the FD and control groups were compared. The H. pylori-negative and conventional treatment groups were given conventional treatment: domperidone 0.6 mg/(kg/d) for 1 mo. The H. pylori-treatment group was given H. pylori eradication treatment + conventional treatment: lansoprazole 30 mg once daily, clarithromycin 0.5 g twice daily and amoxicillin 1.0 g twice daily for 1 wk, then domperidone 0.6 mg/(kg/d) for 1 mo. The incidence of symptoms and gastric emptying were compared between the FD and control groups. The relationship between dyspeptic symptoms and gastric half-emptying time in the FD and control groups were analyzed. Then total symptom scores before and after treatment and gastric half-emptying time were compared among the 3 groups. RESULTS: The incidence of abdominal pain, epigastric burning sensation, abdominal distension, nausea, belching, and early satiety symptoms in the FD group were significantly higher than in the control group (50.0% vs 20.8%; 37.1% vs 12.5%; 78.6% vs 44.4%; 45.7% vs 22.2%; 52.9% vs 15.3%; 57.1% vs 19.4%; all P < 0.05). The gastric half-emptying times of the proximal end, distal end, and the whole stomach in the FD group were slower than in the control group (93.7 ± 26.2 vs 72.0 ± 14.3; 102.2 ± 26.4 vs 87.5 ± 18.2; 102.1 ± 28.6 vs 78.3 ± 14.1; all P < 0.05). Abdominal distension, belching and early satiety had an effect on distal gastric half-emptying time (P < 0.05). Abdominal distension and abdominal pain had an effect on the gastric half-emptying time of the whole stomach (P < 0.05). All were risk factors (odds ratio > 1). The total symptom score of the 3 groups after treatment was lower than before treatment (P < 0.05). Total symptom scores after treatment in the H. pylori-treatment group and H. pylori-negative group were lower than in the conventional treatment group (5.15 ± 2.27 vs 7.02 ± 3.04, 4.93 ± 3.22 vs 7.02 ± 3.04, All P < 0.05). The gastric half-emptying times of the proximal end, distal end, and the whole stomach in the H. pylori-negative and H. pylori-treatment groups were shorter than in the conventional treatment group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: FD patients have delayed gastric emptying. H. pylori infection treatment helps to improve symptoms of dyspepsia and is a reasonable choice for treatment in clinical practice.     

Impact of sex and psychological factors on the water loading test in functional dyspepsia.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of upper abdominal symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) is still unclear. The water loading test (WLT) is a new method for evaluation of gastric function. Our aim was to determine the impact of sex, age and psychological factors on the results of WLT in FD patients, FD-subgroups and healthy controls (HCs), and to evaluate the safety of the test. METHODS: Fifty-six HCs and 35 consecutive patients with FD drank mineral water (100 ml/min) until intolerable. Serum samples for sodium, potassium and creatinine was taken before and after drinking. Water quantity was registered and symptoms were assessed after maximal water intake and 30 min later using a VAS scale. Participants also completed questionnaires measuring psychological general well-being (PGWB) and gastrointestinal symptoms (GSRS and Mearin score). RESULTS: Healthy men drank more than healthy women, 2350 +/- 105 ml versus 1860 +/- 100 ml (P < 0.01), and the same gender difference was noted in FD patients, 1770 +/- 115 ml versus 1180 +/- 110 ml (P < 0.01). Maximal water intake was significantly higher in HC than in FD patients, both in males (P < 0.001) and females (P < 0.0001). Age had no impact on drinking capacity. FD patients had more symptoms 30 min after maximal water intake than HCs. Serum sodium decreased from 141 +/- 0.3 mmol/l to 138 +/- 0.5 mmol/l. Two of the assessed psychological factors, general health and depressed mood, correlated with water intake in FD patients (Rho = 0.47, P < 0.01 respectively Rho = 0.41, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: WLT is a useful, simple and safe test for evaluating symptoms in FD patients. Sex, but not age affects the results of the WLT. Furthermore, psychological factors must also be taken into consideration when interpreting the WLT.     

The etiologic role of gastric hypersensitivity in functional dyspepsia in Korea

To evaluate the role of gastric hypersensitivity and the relationship between gastric hypersensitivity and delayed gastric emptying in Korean functional dyspepsia (FD) patients, the authors performed gastric barostat and gastric emptying scintigraphy in 64 FD patients and compared these results with those of control subjects. Basal tones and gastric compliance were similar in control subjects and patients. However, threshold of abdominal discomfort was lower in FD patients than in control subjects (8.9 +/- 3.6 mmHg and 14.5 +/- 3.7 mmHg respectively; p < 0.05). Twenty-four of 64 patients (37.5%) experienced abdominal discomfort at a pressure less than 7 mmHg above minimal distending pressure (corresponding to the 95th percentile of normal values). Half time of solid-phase gastric emptying in patients and control subjects was not significantly different. Twenty-three of 64 patients (35.9%) had delayed gastric emptying compared with control subjects (normal ranges were mean +/- two standard deviations in control subjects). Thresholds of abdominal discomfort were not significantly different in patients with and without delayed gastric emptying (9.3 +/- 4.0 mL/mmHg vs. 8.6 +/- 3.3 mL/mmHg). There were also no significant differences in the proportion of patients with delayed gastric emptying between patients with and without gastric hypersensitivity. In conclusion, gastric hypersensitivity plays an important role in FD, and the presence of gastric hypersensitivity was not related to the presence of delayed gastric emptying.     

Electroacupuncture Accelerates Solid Gastric Emptying and Improves Dyspeptic Symptoms in Patients with Functional Dyspepsia

The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at ST36 and PC6 points on solid gastric emptying and dyspeptic symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia. Nineteen patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) were involved in the study, consisting of two parts: (1) acute effects of EA on solid gastric emptying in FD patients with delayed gastric emptying and (2) short-term (2-week) effects of EA on symptoms in FD patients with normal gastric emptying. Results were as follows. (1) Ten of the19 patients showed delayed gastric emptying of solids, and acute EA significantly improved delayed gastric emptying; the halftime for gastric emptying was reduced from 150.3±48.4 to 118.9±29.6 min (P=0.007). (2) In the nine patients with normal gastric emptying, 2-week EA significantly decreased the symptom score, from 8.2±3.3 at baseline to 1.6±1.1 (P < 0.001) at the end of treatment. We conclude that EA at the ST36 and PC6 points accelerates solid gastric emptying in FD patients with delayed gastric emptying and relieves dyspeptic symptoms in FD patients with normal gastric emptying.     

Impaired drinking capacity in patients with functional dyspepsia: relationship with proximal stomach function.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Impaired fundic accommodation to a meal and hypersensitivity to distention are increasingly recognized as important mechanisms underlying functional dyspepsia (FD). In the present study, we evaluated whether a drink test can predict such abnormalities and thus represent a noninvasive tool to study proximal stomach motor function. METHODS: Healthy volunteers (HV), nonconsulters with mild dyspeptic symptoms (MS), and patients with FD filled out a disease-specific questionnaire and underwent a drink test with either water or with a high calorie fluid. The maximal ingested volume and the subsequent symptoms were meticulously recorded. In addition, all subjects underwent a gastric barostat study assessing meal-induced relaxation and sensation to distention. RESULTS: Drinking capacity was not significantly related to any particular dyspeptic symptom. FD were able to consume less water (893 +/- 70 mL) and caloric liquid (767 +/- 50 mL) compared with HV (water, 1764 +/- 120 mL; caloric liquid, 1308 +/- 96 mL) or MS (water, 1645 +/- 120 mL; caloric liquid, 973 +/- 45 mL). Approximately half of the FD had an abnormal water or Nutridrink test compared with 9% of MS and 4% of HV. Furthermore, FD developed significantly more symptoms than MS or HV after both drink tests. The drinking capacity did not predict impaired fundic accommodation or visceral hypersensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: FD, but not MS, have an impaired drinking capacity to both water and a nutrient liquid. The drinking capacity is not related to a specific dyspeptic symptom and does not predict proximal stomach motor function.     

功能性消化不良患者胃感觉运动功能的研究

目的 探讨胃感觉运动功能障碍在功能性消化不良(FD)患者中的表现和相互关系。方法 用单光子放射计算机断层成像(SPECT)和内脏刺激器／电子气压泵检测22例FD患者和20例健康对照者的胃固体排空、胃敏感性、胃顺应性和近端胃容受性。结果 22例FD患者胃排空延迟、胃敏感性增高和近端胃容受性障碍的发生率分别为31．8％，68．2％和45．5％，其中45.5％的患者出现了两种以上的胃感觉运动功能障碍。三种胃感觉运动功能障碍间无相关关系(P＞0．05)。结论 胃排空延迟、胃敏感性增高及近端胃容受性障碍是FD发病中三种相互独立的重要因素，不同的病理生理异常可在同一FD患者中共存。     

Symptom patterns in functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome: relationship to disturbances in gastric emptying and response to a nutrient challenge in consulters and non-consulters

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to assess the relationship between gastric motor and sensory function and symptom patterns in community subjects and patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). METHODS: We recruited 291 asymptomatic blood donors, 151 symptomatic blood donors (recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort), and 40 patients with FD or IBS. Abdominal symptoms were assessed using the bowel disease questionnaire (BDQ) and, in addition, the most bothersome symptom complex identified (dysmotility-type, ulcer-type dyspepsia, or IBS). Gastric emptying time (GET (t(1/2), min)) was measured by (13)C-octanoic breath test and a nutrient challenge performed. Twenty randomly selected asymptomatic blood donors, 48 symptomatic blood donors (30 FD, 18 IBS), and 40 patients (23 FD, 17 IBS) had additional function testing. RESULTS: GET (t(1/2)) was significantly (p<0.05) longer in blood donors with FD symptoms (99 (6) min) and FD patients (110 (12) min) compared with asymptomatic controls (76.7 (7) min), but was not significant in IBS blood donors or patients. Overall, 25 of 48 blood donors with symptoms and 18 of 40 patients had slow gastric emptying. GET was most delayed in subjects with predominantly dysmotility-type symptoms (167 (36) min v controls; p<0.01). Symptom intensities after a nutrient challenge were significantly higher in FD patients and symptomatic blood donors compared with asymptomatic controls; 14 of 48 blood donors with symptoms and 16 of 40 patients had a symptom response to the nutrient challenge exceeding the response (mean (2SD)) of healthy asymptomatic controls. CONCLUSION: Gastric emptying and the global symptom response to a standardised nutrient challenge are abnormal in population based (non-health care seeking) subjects with dyspepsia.